The newlyweds were on the house-hunting trail for months before their purchase of the Federation residence, known as Rilworth, with Stokes showing a preference for something on the harbourfront near his dad’s mansion but not overlooking it.

The couple’s new digs overlooking Yarranabbe Park fits the bill perfectly, although a delayed settlement of up to 12 months means it could be a full year before they are able to move on from Stokes’ Walsh Bay apartment.

Stokes, 40, and Campbell, a Queensland shoe heiress, married in December at Sydney’s historic Garden Island naval base, surrounded by 200 family and friends.

Despite the lengthy settlement period on the sale, the Lee family who sold it have already hit the house-hunting trail with a budget of some $10 million.

Major Renovation of a Classic Federation Home

Now comes more recent news of the off-market sale of the Darling Point mansion of dermatologist Penny Lee, wife of barrister Michael Lee, SC.

Architect Daniel Boddam has overseen their substantial renovation of the property in recent years, which has more than doubled in value since it last traded in 2012 for $6.5 million when sold by Marilynne Paspaley, one of Australia's richest women, the daughter of Paspaley Pearls founder Nicholas Paspaley, [1] daughter, Marilynne, has ventured out on her own to develop luxury hotels and resorts.

"TERRITORY pearling and hotels magnate Marilynne Paspaley – one of Australia’s richest women – has been caught out in a bid to escape land tax in New South Wales by a speech she made in Darwin nearly a decade ago."

"Ms Paspaley, the daughter of Paspaley Pearls founder Nicholas Paspaley Sr and the company’s former executive director, argued in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal that she did not have to pay land tax on her luxury $6.5 million Sydney home between 2008 and 2012 because it was her primary place of residence."

"Ms Paspaley, who is best known outside the Territory as the actor who played Tessa Korkidas in 1990s ABC program GP, presented the tribunal with evidence her home on New Beach Rd, Darling Point, Sydney was her primary place of residence because it was where she kept her valuable possessions, it was marked on airline passenger cards and it was where she entertained guests.

“At all times between 1990 and 2012, New Beach Rd was our treasured family home, where we entertained our friends, held our important celebrations and where we could accommodate family and friends who came to visit. This lifestyle and these events did not occur anywhere else in our lives,” Ms Paspaley told the tribunal.

"She argued she was an “itinerant” worker to explain lengthy absences overseas and to other homes in Australia, namely in Broome and Cullen Bay Cres in Darwin."[2]

Paspaley sold it in 2012 for $6.5 million to Lee, the latter of whom undertook a decent renovation of the five-bedroom property before they gave the selling instructions to multiple agents last year.

Before renovation, Rilworth, 55 New Beach Road, Darling Point in 2012

Gallery:

Built in 1910 and privately set above lock-up garaging at street level, the internal living areas have been opened up to make more of the harbour view and its private outlook over a swimming pool, and the basement excavated to allow a lift from the garage to the living areas.

A well-placed source confirmed it was sold by Alison Coopes, of Agency by Alison Coopes.

The original floor plan of Rilworth, Darling Point

AfterRenovation by Daniel Boddam
"An exercise in refinement" for dermatologist Penny Lee, wife of barrister Michael Lee, SC.
The entertainment areas of Rilworth are now looking to the view, and the Federation palette refined with neutral colours, the frontage extended with outdoor living areas, garaging and pool:

"Perched high on the site, the existing house at Darling Point had under-utilised views of Rushcutters Bay, unfavourable orientations and a long approach from the street.

"We were commissioned to redesign the project, creating a sensitive addition that compliments the architectural style of the house.

"The interiors were also reconsidered in a calm and restful style."

The obvious question: Is this still a 'character home'? Has it been denuded of its Federation style and character?